📚 Books to Read After Nausea
Just finished nausea? Here are 5 magical next reads curated just for you:
📘 The Stranger by Albert Camus
Rating: 3.97 / 5 (757,826 ratings), Published: 1942
When to read it: When questioning societal norms and the nature of existence.
This philosophical novel delves deep into the absurdity of life and the human condition. Following an emotionally detached protagonist, Meursault, as he navigates through a world filled with indifference, "The Stranger" confronts themes of alienation, meaninglessness, and existential crisis.
Genres: Existentialism, Absurdist Fiction, Philosophy
After reading: Readers will be compelled to contemplate the absurdity of existence, the significance of human connections, and the impact of life's inherent lack of meaning.
📘 The Bell Jar by Sylvia Plath
Rating: 4.03 / 5 (627,728 ratings), Published: 1963
When to read it: In moments of introspection or when facing societal pressures.
Plath's semi-autobiographical novel follows the protagonist, Esther Greenwood, as she grapples with mental health struggles and societal expectations in 1950s America. Touching on themes of identity, alienation, and the pressure to conform, "The Bell Jar" provides a poignant exploration of one woman's descent into the grips of depression.
Genres: Autobiographical Fiction, Feminist Literature, Mental Health
After reading: Readers will gain a profound understanding of the complexities of mental illness, the societal constraints on women's roles, and the importance of self-discovery and resilience.
📘 No Exit by Jean-Paul Sartre
Rating: 4.08 / 5 (64,180 ratings), Published: 1944
When to read it: When pondering human nature and the consequences of our actions.
In this intense one-act play, three individuals find themselves in a hellish afterlife where they must confront their past deeds and their relationships with others. "No Exit" delves into themes of existentialism and the ramifications of our choices on our own existence and that of others.
Genres: Absurdist Drama, Philosophy, Existentialism
After reading: This play will provoke readers to contemplate the implications of personal accountability, the complexities of human relationships, and the eternal battle between free will and determinism.
📘 The Metamorphosis by Franz Kafka
Rating: 3.82 / 5 (607,949 ratings), Published: 1915
When to read it: When seeking to explore themes of isolation and transformation.
Kafka's novella tells the surreal story of Gregor Samsa, who wakes up one morning to find himself transformed into a giant insect. "The Metamorphosis" delves into themes of alienation, identity, and the dehumanizing effects of modern society, inviting readers to reflect on the nature of humanity.
Genres: Existential Fiction, Absurdist Literature, Psychological Fiction
After reading: Readers will be left contemplating the fragility of human identity, the impact of societal expectations on individuality, and the resilience of the human spirit in the face of adversity.
📘 Notes from Underground by Fyodor Dostoevsky
Rating: 4.17 / 5 (76,098 ratings), Published: 1864
When to read it: When in need of a deep introspective journey into the complexities of human consciousness.
Dostoevsky's novella delves into the tormented mind of its unnamed narrator, a bitter and alienated former civil servant living on the fringes of society. Fueled by a sense of resentment and self-loathing, "Notes from Underground" explores themes of free will, consciousness, and the internal struggles of the human psyche.
Genres: Psychological Fiction, Philosophical Literature, Russian Literature
After reading: Readers will gain a profound insight into the intricacies of human nature, the destructive nature of isolation, and the perpetual battle between reason and emotion within the human mind.